Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force has announced it carried out a multilateral exercise with the navies of the United States and France in the Pacific and the East China Sea.

The MSDF says the drills took place between June 7 and 10 from east of Okinawa to the East China Sea.

Nine warships, including two MSDF destroyers and two US aircraft carriers, were joined by a French frigate.

Japan's Air Self-Defense Force planes and US Air Force bombers took part in some of the exercises to improve tactical capabilities and to strengthen cooperation with participating navies.

The MSDF released photos of the vessels and warplanes navigating and flying in formation.

This is the sixth time the three nations have conducted joint drills, but it is the first time US aircraft carriers have taken part.

The MSDF says the latest exercise was aimed at strengthening cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the region and strengthen maritime order.
The drills were likely aimed at keeping Beijing in check.